Sheriff announces leadership team

Leavenworth County’s new sheriff has announced the men he’s chosen to serve as part his leadership team. And to fill one of the positions, the sheriff didn’t have to look any further than his own family.

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By John Richmeier

The Leavenworth Times - Leavenworth, KS

By John Richmeier

Posted Jan. 16, 2013 at 8:45 AM

By John Richmeier

Posted Jan. 16, 2013 at 8:45 AM

Leavenworth County’s new sheriff has announced the men he’s chosen to serve as part his leadership team. And to fill one of the positions, the sheriff didn’t have to look any further than his own family.

Sheriff Andy Dedeke’s older brother, Jeff, has been appointed to the position of chief deputy. This will make Jeff Dedeke, who will hold the rank of major, third in command at the Sheriff’s Office.

The second in command will be Jim Sherley, who will hold the title of undersheriff. Sherley has been promoted from the rank of sergeant to major.

Sherley and Jeff Dedeke assumed their new duties after Andy Dedeke was sworn in Monday as the new sheriff.

As undersheriff, Sherley will have administrative oversight of the patrol, detective and communications divisions of the Sheriff’s Office.

Sherley said he also will have oversight of the tactical and bomb units.

Sherley, who joined the Sheriff’s Office in February 1996, said he looks to build on the tradition of the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office.

“There’s a lot of good people here,” he said.

Sherley grew up in Lansing and now lives in Basehor.

“Jim is an experienced officer,” Andy Dedeke said.

The sheriff said his undersheriff is well liked by the public and respected by his fellow officers.

Andy Dedeke said he is mandated by law to appoint an undersheriff.

“I knew there were a lot of qualified people from within the office here,” he said.

Andy Dedeke believes Sherley is the person who will best fit his style.

Jeff Dedeke will have administrative oversight of the records division, professional standards unit, Justice Center security and civil processing. He also will oversee training and policy development as well as concealed carry permit registrations and offender registrations for the county.

He is returning to the Sheriff’s Office after leaving last year to take a job with a private company.

Jeff Dedeke said he’s spent about 22 years working in law enforcement, beginning his career with the Leavenworth Police Department. He went to work for the Sheriff’s Office in 2000, rising to the position of detective before leaving last year.

Jeff Dedeke, who graduated from Leavenworth High School, lives in rural Leavenworth.

The position of chief deputy did not exist during the tenure of the previous sheriff. But Andy Dedeke compared it to the position of executive director that was created by his predecessor, Dave Zoellner, when he first took office. The position of executive director no longer exists.

Andy Dedeke acknowledged some people may disagree with his decision to appoint a family member to the position of chief deputy. But he said people who are involved in law enforcement and know his brother will be supportive of his decision.

Page 2 of 2 - “Flat out, he is the best cop I know,” Andy Dedeke said.

As sheriff, Andy Dedeke said he’s trying to bring in the most qualified officers.

Andy Dedeke’s wife also works for the Sheriff’s Office as communications supervisor, a job she held before her husband was elected sheriff.

For his part, Jeff Dedeke said he considers everyone who works in the Sheriff’s Office as an extension of his family.

“Law enforcement is traditionally a brotherhood,” he said.

For now, Andy Dedeke will be handling administrative oversight of the Leavenworth County Jail. A lieutenant serves as the jail commander.

Andy Dedeke left the position of captain when he took the office of sheriff. He intends to eventually fill the vacant captain’s position.